There are a whole lot of shipwreck books out there, fiction and nonfiction. A select few have been read by “everyone” — think: Ship of Gold. Another is Life of Pi. I’ll admit to not having read Yann Martel’s 2001 novel, but it might be time to crack it open. Next month, Ang Lee’s adaptation of the book hits the theaters next month. Early reviews have been quite favorable. Here’s a bit from one:

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, “Pi” has become a critic and Oscar favorite since its premiere at the New York Film Festival last month. “‘Life of Pi’ is gorgeous and engaging and often thrilling. Ending is a whiff, just like the book, but when it works… Wow,” tweeted CinemaBlend’s Katey Rich. “‘Life of Pi’ is an unusual example of anything-is-possible technology put at the service of a humanistic and intimate story rather than something that smacks of a manufactured product,” wrote the Hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy.

Looks like this flick might actually be worth watching in the theater.